The Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling hosted an Opening Exhibition Weekend for two of their new exhibitions by Shani Peters & David Shrobe. Both of the exhibits expressed powerful messages so I was really excited to check them out.

Note: I was invited as media to this event. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

The first exhibit I visited was The Crown Futures: Shani Peters in conversation with Sugar Hill Youth

A multimedia art work and public engagement project directed by artist Shani Peters. The Crown Futures celebrates concepts of self-determination through explorations of traditional headdresses from African, indigenous American, and Western cultures.

This site-specific installation was created for the Salon Gallery by Shani in collaboration with local youth, ages 11 to 13, in a special after-school program at the Museum. On exhibit from July 16 to December 31, 2016.

I loved the idea of changing the way children see themselves and their place in the world by using crowns. The exhibit exposed kids to the history of different types of crowns and then shared the kids thoughts and reactions.

Visitors to the exhibit can also try on crowns and take a selfie. There's nothing like wearing a crown to help you feel royal.

I next visited the Meta-Modes: New Work by David Shrobe and had a chance to speak direct with David.

The Museum's first Artist-in-Residence, David Shrobe, shares the work created during the course of his year at work in the Museum’s Studio.

Layering found materials, patterns, textures and paint, David manipulates the familiar as he investigates questions of consumption, identity, spirituality, and our current social, economic, and ecological change. On exhibit from July 16 to August 20, 2016

David shared how he explores his neighbor and collects various elements (signs, furniture, anything that catches his eye) that he then uses to collage his artwork. Each piece tells a visual story both combines both past and present.

I loved the idea that David stays connected to his neighborhood and culture roots. Each year NYC neighborhoods change and get more modern. This artworks help to catch a glimpse back into history of Davids neighborhood and memories.

I hope you visit the museum with your family to see these latest exhibits. It's a great way to expose kids to art and culture while having a family day outside.